New Orleans Jesters the aggressor, but get scoreless draw

The Jesters played the West Texas Sockers to a 0-0 tie Saturday night at Pan American Stadium that kept New Orleans alone in last place in the Mid-South Division of the Premier Development League's Southern Conference.

The Jesters (1-3-5) began with a free-flowing aggressive attack, but their pace slowed after they misplayed several scoring opportunities.

Forward Emmanuel Yamson collected an arched pass and was running free down the right side in the third minute. Yamson, however, was called for offsides, though the Sockers defender appeared to be even with him. New Orleans was called for offsides three times in the first half.

In the 65th minute, midfielder Craig Davies received a well-placed header and set up for a clean shot from the 20-yard line, but it flew high over the net.

The Jesters outshot West Texas 15-6.

"We got our chances to score," Jesters Coach Kenny Farrell said. "I don't remember them having a chance, to be honest with you. I never felt threatened by them, and they got away with a tie again. They're a very defensive 4-5-1 (team), looking for us to make a mistake."

Farrell was ejected in extra time after he stepped on the field to calm his team down following a foul called against the Sockers (2-2-5). An assistant judge pulled Farrell back to the sideline as Sockers players gathered in front of him.

"Their players are having a go at me, and the linesman grabs me," Farrell said. "I didn't even challenge him. I told him, 'I think (the Sockers players) are assaulting me.' I walked away, and he held me down the touch line like he's a drama queen or something. ... That could've ended up in everyone killing each other, and I didn't need any ejections with the amount of injuries we have."

Midfielder Sam Hurrell, who has professional experience with Chelsea, received a yellow card in the 44th minute when he tried to make a play on a ball falling toward him near the goal, and in the process, launched himself into Sockers goalkeeper Ray Clark.

In his first game back from a red-card suspension, Jesters defender Craig Davies left late in the second half after being kicked several times from behind. The team doctors did not have an immediate diagnosis.

New Orleans midfielder Yazeed Davids left midway through the first half after receiving an elbow to the temple, but he returned in the 36th minute.

"I'm hoping (Davies' injury) isn't very serious, because he's a player that has just come back after suspension, and he's been critical," Farrell said. "He was out for four games, and I just started to see what he could do for us. I thought he was extremely effective when he was in the game, but obviously, we didn't get enough out of him."

New Orleans will play Tuesday at the Texas Dutch Lions. The Jesters have won one of three matchups with them this season. They last won 4-2 against Texas in the opener May 19.

"We need to win that one," Farrell said. "I just need to get my squad healthy and back to full strength. ... By the way, the team that's at the top of the (Southern Division) has only won five games. If you check any other PDL division, you'll see the division leaders are all winning 10 or 11 games because the divisions are so unbalanced.

"This division is so tough. It's the toughest one to get out of in the country. I've said it before: If we can get out of this division, the first two or three rounds of playoffs are going to be easier than the division."